Yahoo Sports Leevi Merilainen Stays Hot As Ottawa Senators Blank New York Islanders 2-0
After starting the new year with a four-game losing streak, the Ottawa Senators have rebounded with three wins in a row. They beat the New York Islanders 2-0 on Tuesday night at UBS Arena. 22-year-old rookie Leevi Merilainen continues to be the hot hand for the Sens, making 23 saves for the shutout, Ottawa's sixth of the season, all on the road.
It was a goaltender's duel, as former Senator Marcus Hogberg was excellent for the Islanders, making 23 saves.
After scoring 13 goals in his first 26 games, Ottawa's Adam Gaudette had gone ice cold in his past 15 games. Gaudette thought he'd snapped out of his funk in the first period, but his goal was overturned on review for goalie interference, even though he had nothing to do with it. He was tripped up and slid into former Sens goalie Marcus Hogberg, causing the puck to trickle over the line.
Even in a low-scoring game, Gaudette was destined to break out of his skid on Tuesday night. At 8:42 of the second period, he tipped home a shot from Tyler Kleven to give Ottawa a 1-0 lead.
Merilainen and the Senators milked that lead until the final two minutes, when Artem Zub ended an even longer goalless drought (17 games). His empty-net goal was his first of the year and sealed the win.
The victory came at a cost, however. On his sixth shift of the game, Sens defenseman Thomas Chabot took a puck to the mouth and did not return for precautionary reasons. Chabot is on pace for 37 points this season, and his +10 rating leads the team. Jake Sanderson played almost 32 minutes in the veteran's absence.
The win leaves the Sens with a points percentage of .547, which is better than Boston and Columbus, the two Eastern wild card teams.
The Senators will now head home to face former Senator Jakob Chychrun and the NHL-leading Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
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